A lower-sugar stroopwafel could be an option if you want a sweet snack on the go with less sugar than a comparable standard stroopwafel. For a longer ride, the amount of carbohydrate per portion matters just as much. Check the fat, fibre and allergens too, and try a new snack on an easy ride first.
You want to take a stroopwafel on an easy ride, but first you compare the sugar content. Albert Heijn states that its roomboterstroopwafels met minder suiker contain 32% less sugar than its standard AH roomboterstroopwafels. This is a comparison between those two products, not with all stroopwafels.
You want to know how much carbohydrate one waffle adds to the rest of your ride snacks. Sportzorg says that taking on fluids and carbohydrates during exercise can be useful for training sessions or races lasting longer than 45 minutes.
You look at more than just the sugar content when choosing a stroopwafel; you also check for ingredients you need to avoid. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. Check the information on the specific pack you’re taking with you.
Start with your main reason for taking a stroopwafel: less sugar, carbohydrates for the ride, or a product that suits your dietary restrictions and when you plan to eat it. Then compare the nutrition information per portion; values per 100 g alone don’t tell you what one waffle contributes.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Check what the claim is being compared with, and read the sugar values per 100 g and per portion. | If I want to take a familiar biscuit with me but am mainly looking for less sugar, the comparison needs to be clear. For around 30% of consumers, wanting less sugar is the top priority. |
| Carbohydrates on the go | Check the carbohydrates per waffle and also take into account what you’ll drink and eat during the ride. | For a longer ride, I want to know what one waffle adds to my planned food and drink. For around 40% of consumers, carbohydrates on the go are the main consideration. |
| Portion and ingredients | Check the portion size, fat, fibre and allergens on the current packaging. | If I want to eat a new snack while cycling or need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know in advance whether the portion and ingredients are suitable. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
As a specific point of comparison, Albert Heijn states that its roomboterstroopwafels met minder suiker contain 23 g of sugars, 44 g of carbohydrates, 26 g of fibre and 17 g of fat per 100 g, with a portion size of 31.5 g. The claim of 32% less sugar is compared with AH Roomboter stroopwafels. Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or a product high in fat or dietary fibre just before exercise. Bear this in mind if you want to try this variety around a ride.
According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s roomboterstroopwafels met minder suiker still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g. The stated reduction applies only compared with the specified standard AH variety.
Check the carbohydrates and portion size too before deciding how much the waffle will add to your food for the ride.
Voedingscentrum advises caution with large portions and products high in fat or dietary fibre just before exercise. The AH lower-sugar variety lists 17 g of fat and 26 g of fibre per 100 g.
Try the portion you plan to take on an easy ride first, so you know how it suits you.
Jumbo states that Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels contain 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g. According to the product information, these waffles also contain egg and lupin.
Check a gluten-free stroopwafel separately for sugar and for any allergens that are relevant to you.
A product’s ingredients can change, while the information you looked at when choosing it may still relate to a different pack.
Before eating it, read the label on the exact variety you’re taking with you, especially if a particular ingredient or allergen is a deciding factor for you.
These product ranges show why you shouldn’t compare stroopwafels on the basis of a single claim: a lower-sugar claim, a gluten-free label and a standard recipe each answer different questions.
AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels come in a pack of 10, weighing 315 g in total.
The standard Daelmans stroopwafel is a useful reference when comparing nutrition values, not a variety with a substantiated lower-sugar claim.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels are a gluten-free product variety.
PLUS Karamel stroopwafels provide nutrition values for a standard own-brand variety.
Lidl describes a 378 g pack of Sondey Margarine stroopwafels.
No. A lower sugar content alone doesn’t tell you how much carbohydrate one waffle adds to your food for the ride, or how well you’ll tolerate the portion. Albert Heijn states that its roomboterstroopwafels met minder suiker contain 44 g of carbohydrates, 23 g of sugars, 17 g of fat and 26 g of fibre per 100 g. Also check the 31.5 g portion size and what else you’ll eat and drink.
Ideally, try a new stroopwafel on an easy ride first, rather than for the first time on an important ride. Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or a product high in fat or dietary fibre just before exercise. Sportzorg says that taking on fluids and carbohydrates during exercise can be useful for training sessions or races lasting longer than 45 minutes. Factor the waffle into what else you’re taking with you.
Not necessarily: a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains. Jumbo states that Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels contain 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g. According to the product information, these waffles also contain egg and lupin.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the specific stroopwafel. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. If you choose a gluten-free variety, also check whether it contains other ingredients you need to avoid.
